SPAZA shop owners, commonly known as aboMyfriend ekasi, were seen fleeing the township of Vredefort in the Free State on Wednesday afternoon, 18 October.
This after two kids aged three and four lost their lives, allegedly from eating a pack of chips bought from one of aboMyfriend's spaza shops.
Tlholoe Nanyane, African Congress for Transformation (ACT) coordinator, told Daily Sun that foreign spaza shop owners are no longer welcomed in their township and encouraged residents to start their own businesses.
"Rather than relying on foreign nationals, the community must open their own businesses," he said.
Nanyane said on Wednesday afternoon, 18 October police escorted foreign nationals out of the township as angry community members wanted revenge for the deaths of two siblings.
Their mum was rushed to hospital after she collapsed as her kids died in her hands. This after she had bought the kids a pack of chips because they were crying that they were hungry.
Free State Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Thabo Meeko said that the sale of illicit goods and food stuff has escalated as the cost of living and rate of unemployment continue to rise and fake foods threaten people’s lives.
ALSO READ: Mum collapses after 'spaza' tragedy
He said that the department has recently received a number of complaints and allegations from the public regarding the sale of expired and fake foods, which are dangerous to their health.
According to Meeko, the department is shocked by the deaths of the kids.
He said on behalf of the department, he'd like to send deepest condolences to the family of the deceased sisters.
Free State police spokeswoman Captain Loraine Earle said police cops were investigating the deaths of two girls, aged three and four, who were certified dead at the Multi-Purpose Centre in Mokwallo in Vredefort in the Free State.
